Esteban Loaiza, who started as many games
as any other pitcher in the National League last year, still has to
win his job back with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The rookie right-hander started 31 games a year ago, tying for the league lead with four others.
``I don't want anybody to get too satisfied around here,'' Pirates manager Jim Leyland said. ``I want to see guys escalate to the next level.''
Though Loaiza pitched often during his rookie season, he didn't always pitch well. He finished with an 8-9 record and a 5.16 earned-run average. He also gave up 115 runs and 99 earned runs, more than any pitcher in the NL.
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``But he needs to be a little more serious about his business and making the adjustments he needs to become a consistently good pitcher at the major-league level.''
Loaiza, 24, jumped directly from Class AA to the major-league rotation last spring. He was ticketed to start the season at Class AAA Calgary, but wound up in the majors when right-hander Rick White injured his elbow during spring training, and the pitching-thin Pirates had few other options.
Loaiza's destination could be Calgary this spring.
``It's tough making the jump from Class AA, and I thought he did OK last season,'' Leyland said. ``But I don't know if he was quite ready. He was very inconsistent and I think a lot of that came from inexperience. He's in the hunt for a job but he's not a lock. He has to show more consistency this spring.''
Leyland has said left-hander Denny Neagle and right-handers John Ericks and Paul Wagner have starting jobs won. That leaves Loaiza in a battle with left-handers Steve Cooke and Zane Smith and right-handers Danny Darwin and Steve Parris for the two open spots.
Despite spending all of 1995 in the majors, Loaiza insists he's not upset that he has been put in a position to prove himself again this spring.
He said he'll trust the judgment of general Manager Cam Bonifay and Leyland.
``But I think I have what it takes to win in the major leagues,'' he said. ``I thought I had a decent season last year, considering I was new to the league and still learning the hitters.''
Loaiza's confidence was boosted in February, when he helped lead Mexico to an upset victory in the Caribbean Series. Loaiza allowed just three runs, getting a no-decision as Mexico beat Venezuela 4-3 in 11 innings in the series' deciding game.
``That was one of the biggest games I've ever pitched in,'' Loaiza said. ``I just told the rest of the guys on the team that I'd use the experience I got in the major leagues last year and try to use it to my advantage.''
